Lawmakers are urging the Pentagon to re-ground Ospreys until safety concerns can be addressed

WASHINGTON — Three lawmakers are asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to consider grounding the V-22 Ospreys military fleet again until solutions can be found to address safety and design issues identified by The Associated Press in its recent in-depth investigation into the aircraft’s accident record.

In a letter sent to the Pentagon on Monday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Representative Richard Neal of Massachusetts, wrote to Austin that “given current concerns about the safety of the V-22, the aircraft is justified, and should not be be redeployed until the platform’s significant shortcomings are fully addressed.”

The Osprey, which flies like a helicopter as well as an airplane, has suffered more than 21 major accidents, many of which can be traced back to design choices, the AP found.

The entire fleet was grounded for three months this year after a deadly crash in Japan in November 2023 that killed eight soldiers. Ospreys, which are operated by the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and used in the presidential fleet, have now returned to flying operations, with some restrictions.

Osprey pilots told the AP that despite safety concerns, they do not want to see the plane grounded because of its unique capabilities. Program officials have said they are working on solutions to improve the safety and reliability of the V-22s.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

The lawmakers also cited AP reporting that pilots must press the V-22’s “interim power” function to land safely — but are advised against doing so because it can wear out parts. Interim forces played a role in the most recent accident in October, when a Japanese Self-Defense Forces Osprey violently overturned and hit the ground on takeoff. An investigation found that the pilots were to blame for not turning on the intermediate power during takeoff.

“The reality for pilots is that they must push the aircraft to its limits to stay safe,” the lawmakers wrote.